SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT - City of South Euclid

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE
DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT 2011

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Table of Contents
CLASSIFICATION & ASSIGNMENT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL ---------------------- 4
PROMOTION, RETIREMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS --------------------------------------------- 5
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS --------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
HEIGHTS AREA SPECIAL RESCUE TEAM ------------------------------------------------------------- 9
FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES --------------------------------------------------------------------- 17
EMERGENCY MEDICAL BILLING ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
GENERAL STATISTICS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22
FIRE DEPARTMENT SURVEYS -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27
CHILD PASSENGER SEAT INSTALLATION ------------------------------------------------------------ 31
HOW DO WE COMPARE--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33
FIRE APPARATUS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 34
LADDER 321 AXLE FAILURE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39
SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS -------------------------------------------------------- 40
FIRE PREVENTION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
FIRE INVESTIGATIONS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45
FIRE QUARTERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49
FIRE HYDRANTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51
CERT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
CLASSIFICATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
PERSONNEL
As of 12/31/2011
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Richard Huston, Chief
Michael Carney, Assistant Chief
BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION
James Davis, Fire Marshal
A Shift
Capt. Tedman Shoop – Paramedic
Lt. Larry Gaspar – Paramedic
Joseph Pavlisko – Firefighter/Paramedic
Robert Schneider –Firefighter/EMT
Ben Ovelgonne – Firefighter/Paramedic
Pedro Garcia – Firefighter/Paramedic
Jamie Moroney – Firefighter/Paramedic
Greg Duy – Firefighter/Paramedic
Eric Thompson – Firefighter/Paramedic
Chris Saplak – Firefighter/Paramedic
B Shift
Capt. David Csire – Paramedic
Lt. Patrick Arth – Paramedic
Chris Dussing – Firefighter/EMT
Scott Wilms – Firefighter/Paramedic
Alex Picone – Firefighter/Paramedic
Geffry Turchon – Firefighter/Paramedic
Sean Patitucci – Firefighter/Paramedic
Thomas Henry – Firefighter/Paramedic
Scott Sebastian – Firefighter/Paramedic
Daniel Kolodka – Firefighter/Paramedic
C Shift
Capt. Douglas Stefko – Paramedic
Lt. Tim Carney – EMT
Lt. Paul Tepley – Paramedic
Daniel Drees-Firefighter- EMT
Joseph Zuccaro-Firefighter/Paramedic
Aaron Lowe – Firefighter-EMT
Christopher Erskine – Firefighter/Paramedic
Matthew Ziemba – Firefighter/Paramedic
John Scudellari – Firefighter/Paramedic
Tom Canitia – Firefighter/Paramedic
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Promotions, Retirements and Appointments
Retirements
Thomas Palmer – Assistant Chief – January 8, 2011
Brian Szuter – Captain – January 8, 2011
Darryl Lyons – Firefighter – March 6, 2011
Michael Burke – Firefighter – March 19, 2011
Dennis Anthony – Lieutenant – May 28, 2011
Promotions
Tedman Shoop – Captain – January 3, 2011
Michael Carney – Assistant Chief – January 10, 2011
Paul Tepley – Lieutenant – February 1, 2011
Larry Gaspar – Lieutenant - February 1, 2011
Patrick Arth – Lieutenant - February 1, 2011
Appointments
Christopher Saplak – Firefighter – May 1, 2011
Chris McKay – Firefighter – May 1, 2011
Daniel Kolodka – Firefighter – July 5, 2011
Thomas Canitia – Firefighter – July 5, 2011
Resignations
Chris McKay – Firefighter – December 3, 2011
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Firefighter Of The Year
Firefighter Joseph Zuccaro
Hired May 26, 1992
Member of South Euclid Fire Dept. Honor Guard
Car Safety Seat Coordinator
CERT Team Instructor
South Euclid Team Leader - Heights Area Special Rescue Team
CPR Instructor
Elected Firefighter of the Year by his peers for his community service, positive attitude,
compassion for fellow firefighters, passion for firefighting and leadership.
SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Department Operations
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Firefighting has changed in many ways over the last one hundred years and the fires we fight
have changed as well. Several factors have changed the way a fire progresses in typical
residences. The most significant factor is the amount and type of products we have in our
homes. Plastics are the biggest reason fires spread faster, hotter and with more toxic smoke. If
you have ever spent time around a camp fire burning, you know that when the wind changes
the smoke from a wood burning fire can be very annoying. Adding just a little plastic and the
smoke is more than just annoying. We have more than just a little plastic in the modern home.
From our television, to our appliances, toys and furniture our houses are filled with plastic. This
makes a fire in our homes faster, hotter and producing more toxic smoke. Fires in today’s
homes reach flashover faster. Flashover is when all the combustibles in a room are burning.
A second factor is how our homes are built. To conserve energy houses are built to keep heat or
air conditioning in. This allows the heat to
build faster and keeps the smoke in the
building. We have found our fires are
ventilation controlled. This means the fire
needs air, specifically oxygen. If starved for
oxygen, the fire continues to build heat and
the smoke becomes more charged with
unburned fuel. Once a source of air is
found the fire will accelerate at a very fast
rate.
These changes in our residences mean that
occupants have less time to escape. Increased use of smoke detectors and fewer fires have help
reduce the number of deaths in the United States. This effects fire department operations as
well.
Since time is a factor, the engine company must get the hoseline to the fire as fast as possible.
The engine company is responsible for stretching the hoseline and attacking the fire. The crew
will also complete other tasks as they go such as forcible entry, and search in the area of the
fire. Once the fire is extinguished the crew will start an overhaul of the fire, which is checking
for fire extension and fire cause and origin. The engine crew must establish the water supply
and leave one person operating the pump.
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The ladder company must do two operations very quickly depending on the situation. They
must perform search and rescue and provide ventilation for the engine company. Truck crews
have additional duties such as; forcible entry, salvage, control of utilities and other special
operations.
Much of truck work is with ladders. Two types of ladders are used, ground ladders and aerial
ladders. Ladder work is very important at structure fires. Ladders are necessary to rescue
anyone above the ground floor. Ground ladders are used to ventilate the structure. Ladders are
used to gain access to roof areas, again for ventilation of the fire. Ground ladders range in size
up to thirty five feet. The aerial ladder has the advantage of being much longer and safer as it is
easier to place. Aerial ladders are not appropriate for every fire, but a combination of the two is
necessary. It is very rare that a structure fire does not require some ladder work.
The incident commander is coordinating all the operations and managing resources. Command
is responsible for strategy, tactics, safety and coordination of the incident. The command role is
filled by the shift OIC until an officer of higher rank arrives on scene such as the Chief or Asst.
Chief. Command is often aided by personnel from mutual aid companies.
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Heights Area Special Rescue Team
Overview
Because fire departments are historically the “ones to call when you don’t know who else to
call,” Heights Area Special Rescue Team (HASRT) was established so that our fire departments
could be better prepared to handle these out-of-the-ordinary rescue situations. These out of
the ordinary situations include, but are not limited to rope rescue, trench rescue, confined
space entry and rescue, tower rescue, ice rescue and mud rescue. All HASRT team members
are fire fighters that have taken additional specialized rescue training to make sure their skills
are current and meet the established national standards
The South Euclid Fire Department is one of six area fire departments that comprise the Heights
Area Special Rescue Team (HASRT). These departments are Beachwood, Cleveland Heights,
Euclid, Shaker Heights, South Euclid and University Heights. Currently, there are 34 total
members on the team with South Euclid providing seven. The members that comprise the
HASRT team are a group of highly motivated, action-oriented fire fighters who have all
volunteered to be on the team.
HASRT is overseen by the Chiefs of the six member fire departments and it is their guidance and
direction that keep the team well-trained, well-prepared and as a group they determine the
annual budget for the team. The day-to-day operation of HASRT is the responsibility of Lt. Pat
Sweeney of the Shaker Heights Fire Department and the overall HASRT team commander. Each
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member city also has a team leader who is responsible for organizing HASRT activity in their
respective city.
Training
HASRT conducts bi-monthly trainings, each focusing on one of the different rescue disciplines.
These trainings are necessary to help keep the team’s skills current.
In 2011, bi-monthly training sessions were conducted in the following disciplines: (36 hours)
Rope Rescue – 18 hours
Trench Rescue – 6 hours
Confined Space Rescue – 12 hours
Due to budget constraints beyond the team members control each member attained a varying
amount of hours. The team as a whole completed 126 total hours of special rescue training. By
discipline, those 126 hours break down as mentioned above.
Deployment
There were three team activations during the year.
1. January 15, 2011 Alpine Valley Ski Resort Munson run # 11-0121
Requested to assist Hilltech and Ski Resort rescue team for skiers trapped on broken Ski
lift.
2. January 21, 2011 Behind 2158 S. Belvoir run # 11-0156
SEPD requested team for a suspect in custody on the hillside stating he could not walk.
Before team arrived suspect got cold and walked out with SEPD assistance.
3. April 26, 2011 Bedford Metropark Reservation run #11-0986
Requested to assist Hilltech with a water rescue. Members released upon arrival due to
rescue already complete upon arrival.
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HASRT & FEMA
Ohio has its own FEMA task force, based in Dayton, which is commissioned to respond to
disasters such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. To complement the efforts of this task force, the
state is also sub-divided into 9 regions, each with a Regional Strike Team. The Strike Teams are
similar to the FEMA task force because they provide response services to incidents beyond the
ability of a local fire department or rescue team, but which may not require the use of a fullservice
FEMA task force and are able to immediately begin and sustain rescue efforts until the
FEMA task force or additional support arrives. Several members of the entire HASRT team are
also part of the Ohio Region 2 (Northeast Ohio) Strike Team, specializing in structural collapse
rescue. At present Joe Zuccaro is our South Euclid team member on the Region 2 strike team.
Personnel
South Euclid Fire Department members currently assigned to HASRT include:
Captain / EMT-P Dave Csire
Lieutenant / EMT-P Larry Gaspar
Lieutenant / EMT-P Paul Tepley
Fire Fighter / EMT-P Scott Wilms
Fire Fighter / EMT-P Alex Picone
Fire Fighter / EMT-P Pedro Garcia
Fire Fighter / EMT-P Joe Zuccaro *
* = (team leader)
For more information please visit the HASRT website at www.hasrt.com.
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Department Training
The South Euclid FD trains throughout the year covering many different disciplines of the job.
We have to because we respond to many different types of emergencies and need to be ready
to perform to the best of our abilities. We train in
emergency medicine, motor vehicles accidents, fires,
air borne pathogens, HAZMAT and driver training just
to name a few. Each year we focus and spend more
time training on a specific discipline.
important disciplines.
This year we were able to use a house at 4088 Linnell.
It was given to us by the Cuyahoga County Land Bank.
We had the house for one week and we were able to
perform some
The first discipline we were able to perform was roof
ventilation operations. We practiced opening ventilation holes
on a two story roof. We used our ladders, axes and power saws
to create the openings under controlled situations.
The next two disciplines we performed were bail outs of a
second story window. Firefighting is a dangerous job and we
have to be confident to bail out of a upper story window if we
are caught in a hazardous situation. Each firefighter was
belayed with a safety rope during each evolution. The first
evolution was going head first down a ladder. The tip of the
ladder was placed at the sill of the second floor window. Each
firefighter bailed out head first. Once outside and their feet
clear of the window they spun around until their chest was
against the ladder. Once in position they would slide down the ladder. Each firefighter
performed these three times to build confidence.
The second bail out we performed was using our rescue rope that is inside the waist of the
SCBA. With this procedure we would wedge a tool against the inside corner of the window. We
used it as an anchor. We attach our rescue rope to the tool and belay ourselves down the
outside of the home. Each time a firefighter performed this while they were belayed with
another rope that was attached to them for safety.
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The last discipline we performed was rescuing a firefighter
that had fallen through a hole in the floor. We placed a
firefighter in the basement and practiced different
techniques to rescue him. This was valuable training. We
were able to figure what would and would not work and the
manpower that would be needed to perform the rescue.
Thanks to the Cuyahoga County Land Bank we were able to
have the home for the training.
In 2011 we had three firefighters receive their State of Ohio
Fire Safety Inspectors certifications. Firefighters Sean
Patitucci and Scott Sebastian attended the State Fire School
at Bowling Green University. Jamie Moroney received his
State of Ohio Fire Safety Inspectors certification from
Cuyahoga Community College. The class is 80 hours. It covers building codes, fire codes, civilian
and firefighter safety. Each of these firefighters is now able to perform fire inspections
throughout the City of South Euclid.
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2011 Statistics
Total number of training hours ……………………………………………………. 4,531
Total number of hours of classes not taken at SEFD………………………………....208
EMS training total hours………………………………………………………………891
HASRT training total hours…………………………………………………………...150
Inspections and Preplanning total hours………………………………………………223
Operational training…………………………………………………………………….38
Primary and secondary training topic total hours…………………………………….1546
Quick drill total hours…………………………………………………………………644
Conducting tours of area buildings……………………………………………………236
Inventories……………………………………………………………………………...33
Recruit training hours…………………………………………………………………..92
Shift training total hours………………………………………………………………367
Self taught computer training…………………………………………………………153
2011 Outside Education
Chief Richard Huston
Disaster Cost Documentation
NEORSD
Resources and Management for Major Emergencies
Hoarding class
Mayfield Community Center
Update Your Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan EMA Columbus
Fire Instructor Update
Cuyahoga Community College
Efficient Government
Akron University
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Assistant Chief Mike Carney
Hidden Dangers of Fires
Soaring From Leadership
Captain Doug Stefko
Hidden Dangers of Fires
Soaring From Leadership
NIMS 701.A
Captain Dave Csire
Firefighter Rollout First Due Truck
Firefighter Rollout Engine Company Operations
Handling Air Bags
NIMS 701.A
NIMS 800
Captain Tedman Shoop
NIMS 701.A
Lieutenant Timothy Carney
NIMS 701.A
Selection and Care of PPE
Instructor Update
Lieutenant Larry Gaspar
NIMS 701.A
Lieutenant Paul Tepley
ITLS
Lieutenant Patrick Arth
NIMS 701.A
Fire Inspector James Davis
Fire Prevention Update
Fireworks Pyrotechnics
Firefighter Joe Zuccaro
Trauma Symposium
ITLS
Collapse Rescue Training
Field Care of Neonates
CPS Technician Car Seat Refresher
FEMA Course
Cuyahoga Community College
Cuyahoga Community College
Car Show Expo
FEMA Course
FEMA Course
FEMA Course
FEMA Course
Cleveland Fire Academy
Cuyahoga Community College
FEMA Course
Highland Heights FD
FEMA Course
Baldwin Wallace College OFC
Cuyahoga Community College
Cleveland Clinic Intercontinental
Highland Heights FD
Region Two
Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest
Cleveland IX Center
Firefighter Alex Picone
Sprinkler System Design & Safety Officer Awareness Ohio Fire Academy
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Firefighter Matthew Ziemba
Handling Air Bags
Firefighter Pedro Garcia
Trauma Symposium
Firefighter Sean Patitucci
Fire Safety Inspector Certification
Firefighter Jaime Moroney
Fire Safety Inspector Certification
Firefighter Scott Sebastian
Handling Air Bags
Fire Safety Inspector Certification
CPS Technician Car Seat Refresher
Firefighter Eric Thompson
Honor Guard Training
Car Show Expo
Cleveland Clinic Intercontinental
BG State Fire School
Cuyahoga Community College
Car Show Expo
BG State Fire School
Cleveland IX Center
Wickliffe Fire Department
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Emergency Medical Service
“What Does a Paramedic Do?”
Paramedics who work for the South Euclid Fire Department are Firefighter/Paramedics as are
most of the paramedics in our surrounding communities. Paramedics are the most highly
trained emergency medical responders. SEFD firefighters who are not trained as paramedics are
trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. The department is mostly (90%) composed of
paramedics. A paramedic trained today will spend about 1,300 hours training. Paramedics are
trained to bring some very important aspects of emergency care right to the victim and start
care as soon as possible.
Our paramedics respond to a wide variety of medical emergencies. From motor vehicle crashes,
to heart attacks, strokes, trauma, falls, childbirth, gunshots and other illnesses, the team of
paramedics initiates lifesaving care. Once on the scene the team will assess the patient, obtain
a medical history and start care. The care will vary on each medical emergency and the
paramedic must be ready for almost anything. Much of the care the team of paramedics initiate
is the same care they would receive in the emergency room. The paramedics work under the
guidance of a medical director and emergency medical protocols. Advanced care includes:
Electrocardiogram, often called an EKG. We use a 12 lead EKG which gives a more
thorough view of the heart. The paramedics are trained to review the EKG, which will
serve as a guide to treatment of the patient. The EKG’s are transmitted to the
emergency room. This enables the cath lab at hospitals to be ready and waiting for the
patient who needs an emergency heart catheterization.
Administer medications. Medications can be administered several ways. The more
common and effective is through intravenous lines (IV) or interosseous (IO) lines. The
paramedics are able to administer over forty different medications. For each they must
know all the indications, doses, side effects and routes of administration.
Insert breathing tubes. The paramedic can insert one of several different types of
breathing tube for the patient who is not, or barely, breathing. The team then assists
the breathing for the patient. The team can monitor the oxygen and carbon dioxide
saturation levels. Some patients who are really struggling benefit greatly from CPAP a
device that helps with their breathing.
Perform a variety of critical lifesaving procedures such as defibrillating, inserting a chest
tube, performing a surgical airway, decompressing a collapsed lung and CPR.
Conduct an assessment of the patient’s condition to be reported to the emergency
room. This allows for appropriate personnel to be at the ready in the ER.
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Every call is not critical; most patients need a moderate amount of care to keep them stable
while being transported to the emergency facility. The paramedics are prepared for a wide
variety of emergencies. Just as we think we have seen it all another unusual or serious event
will occur. With our training and experience the paramedics find a way to give the best care
possible to every patient.
The South Euclid Fire Department responded to 2,124 EMS calls in 2011. This represents 69% of
our total call volume of 3,091. We respond to these calls with 2 front line rescue squads (squads
341 and 342). The EMS calls that we respond to are staffed by highly trained paramedics and
EMT’s. All members of the department are required by the State of Ohio to maintain their
certifications with on-going continuing education. This continuing education is administered by
Hillcrest Hospital which is The Departments medical control. Our medical director is Dr. Donald
Spaner M.D.
Of the 2,124 EMS calls that we responded to, 1,353 patients were transported to an emergency
room. The average age of the patient transported was 55 years old. Patients transported to an
emergency room are billed for our service and in 2011 The South Euclid Fire Department
received $371,642 for this service.
In 2011, The South Euclid Fire Department received a $2,950 EMS grant from the State of Ohio
for EMS supplies. This grant money comes from fines levied on drivers who fail to use their
seatbelts. We anticipate the same grant will be made available to us in 2012.
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Hillcrest
UH
CCF
HRH
RGH
SP
Kaiser
Euclid
Ahuja
Other
SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
EMS Transport Totals
Trans Release Total
Jan 52 25 11 16 13 1 3 2 0 123 51 174
Feb 51 25 7 10 4 0 1 0 0 98 79 177
March 46 18 6 12 5 0 3 1 0 91 67 158
April 51 25 1 15 6 2 3 2 1 106 78 184
May 48 25 5 12 8 1 5 0 1 105 56 161
June 44 29 9 13 8 1 5 2 0 111 72 183
July 61 30 9 10 3 2 6 2 4 127 63 190
August 56 32 7 1 10 2 2 1 9 120 59 179
Sept 70 34 7 0 1 3 6 2 4 127 71 198
Oct 51 34 9 0 10 2 2 0 4 112 64 176
Nov 59 27 5 0 6 3 0 2 7 1 110 45 155
Dec 66 31 10 0 8 2 0 0 5 1 123 66 189
Totals 655 335 86 89 82 19 36 14 35 2 1353 771 2124
Squad Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
341 176 174 159 186 162 89 190 91 0 106 161 30 1524
342 24 30 22 25 27 116 31 102 182 78 30 150 715
343 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 12 43 15 0 32 109
Thru December 31, 2011
Huron Hospital closed August
Ahuja ER opened April
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
EMS Billing Receipts
The South Euclid Fire Department bills patients transported to medical facilities. The funds
received are distributed between the fire department and the general fund. The first $200,000
goes into fire department accounts and all funds received over this amount go into the general
fund. The funds received by the fire department are split, with $150,000 being placed in a
vehicle fund and the remaining $50,000 going into an equipment fund. This enables the city to
plan vehicle and equipment purchases using funds already set aside.
2011 EMS BILLING TOTALS
January 2011 $34,487.49
February 2011 $29,926.60
March 2011 $38,971.81
April 2011 $30,287.70
May 2011 $28,692.14
June 2011 $24,550.51
July 2011 $23,524.89
August 2011 $33,307.98
September 2011 $22,803.16
October 2011 $32,472.10
November 2011 $43,684.11
December 2011 $28,933.99
Total for 2011 $371,642.48
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
SEFD Block Party
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
General Statistics
In 2011, the South Euclid Fire Department responded to 3,091 calls for service.
This represents a 1.2 percent increase from 2010.
There were no fire fatalities in 2011.
There were two minor injuries from fire in 2011.
Busiest day of the week in 2011 was Wednesday (450 alarms) and Saturday (410) was the
slowest.
Total property and contents loss in 2011 was $311,350. This is down 42% from 2010.
SEFD responded to 28 structure fires and 48 fires not in structures for a total of 76 fires.
Crews from SEFD responded to 1,973 EMS calls for service.
We responded to other cities requests for Automatic or Mutual Aid 142 times in 2011.
We received Automatic or Mutual Aid 67 times.
SEFD members have a total of 480 years of service.
Average number of years of service is fifteen with a high of thirty two and a low of one.
Average response time from receipt of call to arrival in scene is 5.24 minutes.
In SEFD the average time on scene for all types of calls was 26 minutes.
On 2/17/2011, Rescue Squad 341 responded to 14 alarms, on 4/28/2011, Engine 312
responded to 12 alarms and on 2/21/2011 Ladder 321 responded to 12 alarms.
No smoke detectors were present in 33% of the fires in 2011.
Fire Department expenditures for 2011 were $3,866,318.
Cost per incident was $1,251.
Yearly cost for a family of four for fire EMS protection is $694.
Per capita cost per day, forty seven cents.
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
General Statistics
Types of Calls 2011
MAJOR INCIDENT TYPE
# INCIDENTS
Fires 78
Overpressure rupture, explosion, overheat - no fire 2
Rescue & Emergency Medical Service 2120
Hazardous Condition (No Fire) 182
Service Call 137
Good Intent Call 125
False Alarm & False Call 443
Severe Weather & Natural Disaster 3
Special Incident Type 1
TOTAL 3091
% of TOTAL
2.52%
0.06%
68.61%
5.89%
4.43%
4.05%
14.34%
0.10%
0.03%
100.00%
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
General Statistics
When Calls Come In 2011
HOUR # of CALLS
00:00 - 00:59 103
01:00 - 01:59 64
02:00 - 02:59 66
03:00 - 03:59 58
04:00 - 04:59 71
05:00 - 05:59 58
06:00 - 06:59 67
07:00 - 07:59 93
08:00 - 08:59 133
09:00 - 09:59 162
10:00 - 10:59 178
11:00 - 11:59 170
12:00 - 12:59 163
13:00 - 13:59 184
14:00 - 14:59 169
15:00 - 15:59 161
16:00 - 16:59 158
17:00 - 17:59 185
18:00 - 18:59 157
19:00 - 19:59 160
20:00 - 20:59 158
21:00 - 21:59 142
22:00 - 22:59 128
23:00 - 23:59 102
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
General Statistics
Property Loss 2011
TOTAL INCIDENTS
20
TOTAL PROPERTY LOSS TOTAL CONTENT TOTAL AVERAGE
$236,600.00 $74,750.00 $311,350.00 $15,567.00
INCIDENT NUMBER DATE
2011-0000280 02/04/2011
2011-0000353 02/12/2011
2011-0000749 03/31/2011
2011-0000832 04/09/2011
2011-0000855 04/11/2011
2011-0001187 05/18/2011
2011-0001321 06/05/2011
2011-0001484 06/23/2011
2011-0001487 06/24/2011
2011-0001619 07/09/2011
2011-0001760 07/25/2011
2011-0001760 07/25/2011
2011-0001944 08/16/2011
2011-0001949 08/17/2011
2011-0001967 08/18/2011
2011-0002039 08/26/2011
2011-0002292 09/24/2011
2011-0002439 10/10/2011
2011-0002838 11/30/2011
2011-0003048 12/25/2011
PROPERTY LOSS CONTENT LOSS TOTAL
$5,000.00 $0.00 $5,000.00
$50,000.00 $25,000.00 $75,000.00
$500.00 $600.00 $1,100.00
$1,200.00 $0.00
$5,000.00 $1,000.00 $6,000.00
$50,000.00 $20,000.00 $70,000.00
$3,000.00 $1,500.00 $4,500.00
$900.00 $0.00 $900.00
$200.00 $0.00 $200.00
$1,000.00 $0.00
$1,500.00 $0.00
$10,000.00 $1,000.00 $11,000.00
$0.00 $100.00
$0.00 $50.00 $50.00
$75,000.00 $10,000.00 $85,000.00
$1,000.00 $0.00
$1,000.00 $500.00 $1,500.00
$1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00
$300.00 $0.00 $300.00
$30,000.00 $15,000.00 $45,000.00
Cause of ignition
CAUSE OF IGNITION # INCIDENTS % of TOTAL
Intentional 2 0.1%
Failure of equipment or heat source 7 0.2%
Cause, other 1 0.0%
Act of nature 1 0.0%
Cause undetermined after investigation 2 0.1%
Unintentional 11 0.4%
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SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
General Statistics
Mutual Aid/Automatic Aid - Given and Received
AID TYPE TOTAL % of TOTAL
Mutual aid received 61 2.0%
Automatic aid received 6 0.2%
Mutual aid given 125 4.0%
Automatic aid given 17 0.6%
Number of Responses by Personnel
PERSONNEL
# of responses
Arth, Patrick 231
Carney, Michael P 15
Carney, Timothy J 232
Csire, David 230
Davis, James 40
Drees, Daniel 392
Dussing, Christian 450
Duy, Greg J 460
Erskine, Christopher 369
Garcia, Pedro 409
Gaspar, Larry L 226
Henry, Thomas 400
Huston, Richard L 19
Kolodka, Daniel 291
Lowe, Aaron 315
Lyons, Darryl T 68
McKay, Chris 354
Moroney, James A 358
Ovelgonne, Benjamin 337
Patitucci, Sean 408
Pavlisko, Joseph 340
Picone, Alexander 358
Saplak, Chris 433
Schneider, Robert G 297
Scudellari, John 455
Sebastian, Scott 392
Shoop, Tedman 267
Stefko, Douglas A 277
Tepley, Paul A 270
Thompson, Eric 517
Turchon, Geffry 350
Wilms, Scott W 317
Ziemba, Matthew 403
Zuccaro, Joseph S 305
26

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Department Surveys
Each month we send out fifteen surveys to evaluate our service on calls. We send ten surveys
to EMS calls and five to fire calls. These surveys help us understand areas where we may need
to improve. They provide a chance to recognize exceptional performances by our firefighters. A
copy of the survey form follows.
In 2011 we sent out 180 surveys.
We received back 58 surveys.
The surveys have 10, yes or no questions.
Of the 580 possible yes responses, the responses had:
566 yes 97.6%
7 no 1.2% (all seven were on one response)
7 blank 1.2%
The questionnaire has a scale of performance ranking from 1 to 10, with ten being the best.
Score
0 0
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 1
7 0
8 1
9 6
10 51
27

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Department Surveys
1. Was our response prompt? [ ] Yes [ ] No
2. Were our personnel courteous? [ ] Yes [ ] No
3. Were our personnel professional?
In appearance? [ ] Yes [ ] No
In actions? [ ] Yes [ ] No
4. Did our personnel explain their actions? [ ] Yes [ ] No
5. Did our personnel appear competent? [ ] Yes [ ] No
6. Did our crew respect each other and work
as a team? [ ] Yes [ ] No
7. Did it seem that the crew genuinely cared? [ ] Yes [ ] No
8. Was the crew gentle in their actions? [ ] Yes [ ] No
9. Did the crew clean-up after they were done? [ ] Yes [ ] No
10. Overall, how would you rate our service? Please circle below
(poor) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (best)
Please add any comments that you may have. __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Please return this survey in the provided self-addressed stamped envelope
28

SEFD Retirees and current members
30

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Child Passenger Safety Seat Program
Overview
The South Euclid Fire Department has been a member of the Greater Cleveland Safe Kids/ Safe
Communities Coalition, part of the larger national Safe Kids/ Safe Communities organization for
12 years. It is focused on all aspects of adult and child safety including child passengers of
automobiles.
Thanks to the dedication of our technicians Scott Sebastian, and Joe Zuccaro, we have currently
installed or checked the installation of over 1300 car seats. In addition to the car seat
information, we have distributed printed materials covering poison prevention, gun lock safety,
burn prevention, air bag safety and tips on injury prevention around the house. All of this has
helped to give the parents and grandparents peace of mind.
Training
Every two years the technicians must complete a recertification process. This recertification
process requires the technician to be overseen doing all required installs by a technician
instructor, and completing a set amount of continuing education including a six hour with class
hands on demonstration about the newest seats. The only way to get better at installing a child
safety seat is through practice and the technicians get this by attending our monthly check ups
held at the station.
Instruction during Lamaze
We are finishing our sixth year of conducting child safety classes as part of the Hillcrest
Hospital Lamaze child birth classes. These classes instruct the parents how to properly install
their car seats in to their vehicles and then how to secure their child into the seats. They are
instructed in a class room setting and then given time to try the techniques. These classes have
reached over 1000 parents. In 2011 we saw a reduction in appointments at the fire station and
one reason is that the parents are getting the needed information during these Lamaze classes.
Early in the year the American Academy of Pediatrics announced that they are recommending
children stay rear facing up to a minimum of 2 years of age. This is much safer for their under
developed neck muscles.
31

Poison Prevention
Another coalition promoted safety message is Poison Prevention and gun lock safety. During
these Lamaze / child safety classes we discuss how to make their homes safe for their child
including but not limited to the use of cabinet locks, toxic plants, how to help grandparents be
current, how to dispose of old and unused prescriptions, to be conscious of lead based paint,
and how to contact the poison control center if necessary. The parents are advised on what to
look for and are given written handouts to help them be as informed as possible. The poison
control center is easily reached from anywhere in the country by dialing 1-800-222-1222.
Statistics
In 2011 the South Euclid fire department installed or checked the installation of 85 car seats, 35
of these were for South Euclid residents. The remaining 50 were from 10 other cities. These
cities ranged from our direct neighbors on all sides to others further away. The technicians get
a feeling of satisfaction knowing they are helping to keep children safe and all the parents and
grandparents that have used this service are thoroughly pleased.
The program is available free of charge to anyone that calls for assistance. The South Euclid Fire
Department is networked with our surrounding cities and other members of the Safe Kids
Coalition, thus allowing us to offer our residents many options to attend checkups when it is
convenient for them. This has worked well to help the program continue to grow.
The South Euclid Fire Department was represented again at the 2011 Auto Show. Members
volunteered time to work the Safe Kids booth and gave out information concerning child safety.
32

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
How Do We Compare?
The National Fire Protection Association recently published its Third Needs Assessment of the
US Fire Service. The South Euclid Fire Department participated in this survey. The following
are some highlights and how we compared.
Internet Access - 84% of fire departments have internet access.
SEFD has internet access for employees.
Portable Radios – 51% of fire departments have enough portable radios to equip all
emergency responders on a shift.
SEFD has portable radios for all personnel on shift.
Age of Pumpers – 46% of all fire department engines and pumper are at least 15 years
old.
SEFD does not have any engines, ladders or pumpers over 15 years old.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) – 51% of all fire departments cannot
equip all firefighters on a shift with self-contained breathing apparatus.
SEFD can equip all on shift personnel with SCBA.
Age of SCBA – 55% of fire departments have SCBA that are over ten years old. SEFD
does not use SCBA’s older than ten years old.
Though SEFD SCBA’s are over ten years of age, they were recently upgraded to
current standards.
Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS) – 39% of fire departments do not have enough
PASS devices for all of their on duty personnel.
SEFD has PASS devices for all on shift personnel.
Personal Protective Clothing – 63% of fire departments have some PPE that is older
than ten years.
SEFD has a minimal amount older than ten years but is being replaced.
33

Engine #312
SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Delivery of this front line state of
the art pumper was accepted by
the City in March of 2008. This is a
1500 gallon per minute pumper
manufactured by Pierce Fire
Equipment in Appleton Wisconsin.
As the primary pumper, 312
handles the bulk of the fire ground
pumping operations and is second
only to 341 in total number of
emergency responses.
Fire Apparatus
We consider this pumper to be state of the art because of its engineering and installed
equipment. For instance, Pierce Fire Equipment is owned by Oshkosh Trucks which produces
heavy equipment for the military. An innovative suspension system, used for years on some
military equipment is also used on our pumper; this gives the driver better control, a smoother
ride, and safer response to emergencies.
34

This truck also has rollover protection with air bags, seatbelt tensioners, and an instantaneous
seat lowering mechanism system to protect our firefighters from injury should they be involved
in an accident. The pumper has onboard computer diagnostics, electronic fire pump control, a
class A foam system, and a generator that runs off the transmission instead of requiring a
separate fuel source. The class A foam system is new to your fire department and has proven
its worth time and again. Class A foam is used on structure fires and has properties that allow
water to readily soak into materials, thereby extinguishing them quicker. This reduces fire
damage and reduces the amount of overhaul or searching out hidden fire that we have to do.
This also allows us to use less water to extinguish the fire, limiting water damage. These are a
few of the highlights of our newest pumper that allows your fire department to do their job
better and more safely. This apparatus is in Good condition.
Engine #311
Engine 311 is a 1500 gallon per minute pumper manufactured by the Ferrara Fire Apparatus
Company out of Holden, Louisiana. Engine 311 was received in February 1999 and served as
our front line pumper until 2008. Currently 311 is our reserve pumper and is used whenever
312 or 321 are out of service. Engine 311 is
also shared by neighboring departments
when their apparatus is unavailable because
of maintenance. Due to the accident with
321, this apparatus was used extensively as a
front line piece of equipment. This unit is in
fair condition after many years of hard
service and the truck is beginning to show its
age. This apparatus was originally scheduled
for refurbishment in 2010 but has yet to have
the work performed on it. Engine 311 is in
need of refurbishment if it is to continue to
be relied upon as a reserve apparatus for the City of South Euclid and its neighboring
communities.
35

Aerial #321
Aerial 321 is the fire department ladder truck first put in service January 14, 1991. This truck
has a 75-ft ladder and a 1500 gallon per minute pumper manufactured by Pierce.
Unfortunately this apparatus suffered a catastrophic accident in 2011 while returning from a
call. While no one was hurt the truck was totaled and we are looking forward to its replacement
in January of 2012.
Rescue Squad #341
Rescue Squad 341 is a state of the art
ambulance purchased by the City in
November 2006.
Due to the high percentage of EMS calls,
this paramedic equipped unit responds to
more emergencies than any other piece of
equipment. This squad received a new
engine in 2011 due to a mechanical
problem with the old one. This 2006
Braun ambulance on a Ford E-450 chassis is currently in Good condition.
36

Rescue Squad #342
Rescue Squad 342 is a Braun ambulance on a Ford
E-450 chassis, which was put into service in
February 2002. This is the second EMS unit and
responds when 341 is out on a call. This
paramedic equipped unit is in fair condition.
Rescue Squad #343
Rescue Squad 343 is a 1996 Horton ambulance on
an international chassis, which was put into
service in October 1996. This reserve piece of
equipment becomes front line when 341 or 342 are out for repairs or routine maintenance.
Additionally, while in reserve status it contains specialized rescue equipment for immediate
deployment in case of activation/call-out for the special rescue team. This apparatus is in poor
condition
Utility Pick-up #371
Truck 371 is a Ford-150 pickup truck used for snow plowing, hydrant testing, details, etc. The
City accepted delivery of this vehicle in July 2002, and it is in good condition.
Staff Car #351
Car 351 is the Fire Chief’s vehicle. Purchased in 2008, this Ford Explorer is in excellent
condition.
Staff Car #352
Car 352 is the Assistant Fire Chief’s vehicle. Purchased in 2006, this Ford Explorer is in very
good condition.
Staff Car #355
Car 355 is the vehicle used by Fire Prevention. It is a 2003 Ford Explorer in good condition.
37

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Ladder 321 Rear Axle Failure
On April 4, 2011 while returning from a smoke detector activation, Ladder 321 had a major
mechanical failure. The rear axle broke loose from the frame and came out from under the
truck. The truck was placed on a flatbed and towed to American Fleet Services. A mechanical
examination of the truck revealed the truck had torqued the frame and thus was beyond repair.
The truck was purchased late in 1990 and placed in service in early 1991. The truck was
refurbished in 2006 and had an engine rebuild in 2005. The original purchase price for the truck
was $292,000. Ladder 321 was scheduled for replacement in 2015. The city has established a
vehicle replacement fund and earmarked $1.3 million for replacement. The truck was insured
for $375,000. The city received an insurance settlement of $351,000. After considering several
options, the decision was made to move forward with the purchase of a new similar truck.
Vendors from seven different manufacturers were invited to demonstrate trucks similar to old
321. After viewing the models and vendors the list was paired to three manufacturers to submit
state bid pricing. All officers met, reviewed input from all shift members and selected E-One as
the vendor. Legislation was submitted to council and approved. The total cost of the new ladder
was less than $ 615,000. Combined with the insurance settlement the total outlay of city funds
was less than $265,000, when $1,300,000 had been planned for.
Delivery of the new ladder is in early 2012.
39

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
To enter an atmosphere full of smoke, heat and toxins, firefighters rely on self-contained
breathing apparatus. The air packs are the firefighter’s lifeline. Any failure of the system can
result in tragic consequences. Our bottles are thirty minute bottles. Under firefighting
conditions, the bottles will last fifteen to twenty minutes depending on how hard the firefighter
is working. The modern SCBA is much lighter and safer than those of previous years.
The Stark Industries breathing air compressor and cascade system continues to operate
correctly. We use the system on a daily basis to top off or fill our Scott 4500 high pressure
bottles. The system gives us the capabilities to fill our Scott air bottles to their maximum air
capacity of 4500 psi.
The air compressor, cascade system and the air quality maintained in the system is checked
twice a year by Breathing Air Systems. A service technician comes and performs maintenance
on the system and changes the recommended filters. They will take back air samples with them
to check the quality of the air. The contract we have with Breathing Air Systems also allows us
to send air samples twice a year to them. This helps to make sure that the qualities of air we are
putting in the SCBA bottles and breathing on emergencies meet the minimum air quality of
grade D. This is very important because when we are in IDLH atmosphere the air on our backs is
all we have to survive.
In 2010 we purchased one Scott AV 3000 face mask and one Scott carbon fiber 4500 high
pressure air bottle. It was discovered after performing our annual mask fit test that one
firefighter wasn’t maintaining a seal. After performing further tests we determined that a larger
mask was needed to maintain the firefighter’s face seal and in turn, his safety. A new Scott AV
3000 mask was purchased and the old mask was placed in reserve as a backup.
Safety was the number one concern with the purchase of a Scott carbon fiber 4500 high
pressure air bottle. We perform visual inspections of the bottles on a daily basis. It was pointed
out that one of the air bottles had damage to the outer shell. The bottle was immediately
drained of its air and the bottle retired. We purchased a bottle for its replacement to maintain
an inventory of 36 carbon fiber bottles.
40

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Prevention
James Davis, Fire Marshal
I am writing this report for the Fire Prevention Bureau with mixed emotions. This will be my last
submittal for the annual report as the Fire Marshal since I will retire in July of 2012. I am sad to
be leaving the job I have held for the past sixteen years (I do believe that is a record for time
spent in the Bureau by anyone on the Department) but I am also looking forward to the times
to come in my retirement. I have always tried to do my best in serving the business’ and the
residents that I have come in contact with. My thirty three years with the South Euclid Fire
Department have gone by so quickly. I want to thank the City for giving me the opportunity to
work here and show exactly what I could offer the city.
Please remember that statistics show that an organized Fire Prevention Bureau helps to insure
the safety of the residents and people that work within the city. Perhaps we are doing our jobs
well since we have not had a large loss commercial fire caused from a fire violation that was
missed. Any commercial fires that we have had have come from the accidental factor rooted in
human error. No prevention program is capable of foreseeing these types of fires. However
don’t get lulled into thinking that we can do away with the Fire Prevention Bureau; for if you
do, you will soon see more fires in the commercial setting that would have been prevented by
regular inspections.
The South Euclid Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) was established and is maintained for various
reasons. The most important of these reasons is to inspect all commercial buildings and
businesses for compliance of National, State and Local fire safety regulations. The fact that we
have an organized and functional Fire Prevention Program helps to lower the cities insurance
rating set forth by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). This means that business and residents
will pay less for the insurance that covers their business and homes. If the ISO rating rises, then
the business and residents pays more for insurance. Higher insurance costs means that business
cannot hire more workers and home owners cannot purchase products to improve their life
styles. This translates into lower payroll taxes paid to the City!
The second reason and almost equally important is the education of the public in fire safety
awareness. Without educational programs in place to teach the residents and employees fire
safety; one tends to get careless about fire safety. Take the curiosity out of fires and teach
someone what to do in the event of a fire and your fire losses again go down. Both of these
duties are conducted on a daily basis by the FPB.
41

The year 2011 was a busy year for the fire prevention bureau. A total of 1,101 different
inspections were made. During those inspections, 424 safety violations were found and of
those violations, 454 corrected.
In addition to the required fire inspections that the Bureau does, the State of Ohio now requires
all certified fire safety inspectors to have annual continuing education hours. A lot of these
hours are obtained through the North Eastern Ohio Fire Prevention Association. The Fire Chief,
Assistant Chief and the Fire Marshal are all members of this organization. It is the largest
organization of its kind in the State of Ohio. It provides its members with the opportunity to
discuss issues or problems that members might be having within their own cities.
The Association holds a monthly business meeting on the first Monday of the month. In
addition to the business meeting, there is an educational portion that provides members in
attendance with certified continuing education hours. The NEOFPA is the first organization in
the state to offer this advantage to its members. If you have time, please check out the
association’s website at www.neofpa.org.
Fire safety education is available for anyone who requests it. It is provided by several different
means. Different organizations request tours of the fire station. A group or organization merely
needs to call the Fire Department and schedule a date and time with the duty officer for a tour.
Fire Safety Materials are provided to the shift conducting the tour and handed out to the group.
Last year, 129 children and 41 adults toured the fire station.
We also receive requests to attend block parties with our apparatus. Once again, fire safety
materials are handed out on our visits. We attended 11 block parties and talked to over two
hundred residents in 2011.
Another program that we participate in is the Fire Safety Trailer. The Trailer is a miniature
house that all third graders in the city go through to learn about fire safety in the home. We
took 230 third grade students through the trailer from all the schools located within South
Euclid. We work with Safety Town during the summer. Two hundred forty children were taught
basic fire safety at Safety Town.
The FPB offers other services to the residents of the City. One such service is that of the Smoke
Detector Program. South Euclid Senior Citizens may call the FPB to have a battery installed in a
smoke detector if they are unable to do so themselves. Smoke detectors are also installed
where needed. Once a battery has been changed or a smoke detector has been installed, the
resident’s name is placed in a database so that they will be notified on a yearly base to have
their battery(s) changed. Several dozen seniors are currently involved in the program. The
database is updated on a regular basis.
42

Smoke Detectors for Senior Citizens
Installed Batteries 158
Installed Smoke Detectors 39
It should be noted that with recent press about what type of smoke detectors to use; ionization
or photoelectric; the Fire Prevention Bureau uses a dual sensor technology detector. It has both
types in one detector. This allows for more accurate readings and less false alarms meaning
that the residents are more apt to heed an alarm coming from their smoke detector should it
go off.
During 2004, the Fire Prevention Bureau entered into a joint venture with the American Red
Cross in a program called “Operation Save A Life” Through this project, the ARC receives grant
moneys and donations to purchase smoke detectors. The smoke detectors are distributed to
participating cities to hand out to their city residents regardless of financial need. Since the
inception of this program, the Fire Department has given out 1,430 free smoke detectors and
well over 3,500 free replacement batteries. Without this program through the American Red
Cross, we could not afford to provide smoke detectors to the residents of the City. Remember
that a working smoke detector is the single most piece of equipment that one can have in their
home that will protect their lives should they have a fire.
The State of Ohio has trained Chief Huston, I and Joseph Zuccaro in Juvenile Fire Setter
Intervention. This program was designed to handle youths that are caught doing or showing fire
setting behavior. The thought is that early intervention in a child’s fire setting behavior can
result in the child turning to fire safe behavior and a fire safe life. During 2011, we did not have
any children pass through the program. Once again we had no kids that needed remediation
due to fire setting behavior. When this program was first introduced to the City many years
ago; it was not uncommon to see several juveniles pass through the program every year. That
shows that our fire safety education training is paying off. Early intervention and teaching the
kid about good fire safety behavior early on translates into Kids that are less likely to play with
matches and lighters.
Many homes are required to be inspected each year by agencies that they are responsible to.
Examples include Home Day Care for the Department of Human Services and for Foster Care
and adoptive homes. In 2011, a total of 19 foster/adoption homes and 16 home day cares were
inspected.
Hopefully you can see from this report that the FPB is working to fulfill its responsibilities as set
forth by the Codified Ordinances. You may rest assured that your Fire Prevention Bureau will
continue to work to make South Euclid a Fire Safe Community in which to live. Once again I
truly thank the City of South Euclid for giving me the opportunity to serve some thirty-three
years ago. I will miss you!
43

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Investigation
James Davis, Fire Investigator
Fire is something that is inevitable. At some point in every person’s life; they will be affected by
fire. Fire can affect you by just being a simple burn on your skin; or it could be the complete loss
of your home. Fire occurs either by accident or it can be set making it an arson fire.
The majority of our fires here in South Euclid are accidental. They can be caused by careless
smoking or cooking. They can be from overloading circuits or unattended candles that are left
burning. They can also be set by someone’s own hand. At this point it must be determined
whether it was purposefully set making it a case of Arson or it can be accidentally set.
Per State law, all fires in South Euclid are investigated to determine the fire origin and cause.
The shift officers will usually determine where and how the fire originated. Should this prove to
be more difficult for them to figure out, if the fire is of a suspicious nature, if there is loss of life,
if a large dollar loss has occurred, or the Fire Chief gives directive, the South Euclid Fire
Investigation Unit (FIU) is called upon to conduct a fire origin and cause investigation.
In 2011, the South Euclid Fire Investigation Unit consisted of Fire Marshal James Davis, Captain
Douglas Stefko, Fire Fighter Sean Patitucci, Detective Sergeant Ben Parisi and Detective Dave
Volek. Members of this unit have attended state and national training courses. New skills and
knowledge are acquired by attending training classes throughout the year.
The concept of fire fighters and police officers working together has proven to be a very
effective approach to fire investigations in South Euclid. This team effort works well because of
the cross training all members receive.
South Euclid is also a member of the Hillcrest Regional Fire Investigation Unit. This consists of a
group of fire departments from the Hillcrest area. When one of the member communities has a
fire that they need help in investigating; a call is put out through Pepper Pike Dispatch and all
members are paged to come and assist if available. This is very helpful with any larger fire scene
or when we cannot summon enough from our own Departments.
45

Special Fire Investigations for 2011
Date Alarm Location Type and Cause
1/25/11 #11-92 4273 Ardmore Improper venting of fire place, Accidental
Lead investigator: James Davis
Date Alarm Location Type and Cause
2/12/11 #11-353 4130 Princeton Blvd. House Fire, Accidental, electrical
Lead investigator: Sean Patitucci
46

Date Alarm Location Type and Cause
5/18/11 #11-1187 3762 Salisbury Road Basement Fire, Accidental, house keeping
Lead investigator: James Davis
Date Alarm Location Type and Cause
8/8/11 #11-1967 4217 Stilmore Road House Fire. Accidental, lightning strike
Lead investigator: Sean Patitucci
47

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Quarters
The Fire Station serves as the storage building for fire trucks and equipment, as well as the
quarters for fire personnel. The station is staffed twenty four hours a day with at least seven
firefighters. Firefighters work twenty four hour shifts every three days. As a result fire quarters
serve as “home” for three different shifts of firefighters.
Fire department quarters were remodeled and expanded in 1982. Fire quarters contains offices
for fire prevention and administration, fire officer offices, training area, kitchen and lounge
area, sleeping quarters, fire truck vehicle bays, physical fitness room and storage areas.
Firefighters maintain the quarters including daily cleaning. The building is in fair shape with
several areas in need of some repair or refurbishment.
.
48

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Hydrants
The goal of our testing program is to assure a reliable water supply in the event of a fire. The
testing is required by the Insurance Service Office (ISO) and must be completed annually in
order to maintain our Fire Protection Rating, which directly affects property owner insurance
premiums.
In addition to being a requirement of ISO (Insurance Services Office), hydrant testing provides
many benefits for fire personnel. We gain firsthand knowledge of where hydrants are located,
assure they are visible from the road, operational as a “first water” source, and are able to
confirm they are maintained on a regular basis.
Annually the Fire Department conducts inspections to assure the hydrants we depend upon for
suppression activities are operational, provide adequate water
flow, and maintain adequate system pressure.
NFPA standards also call for all public fire hydrants to be
inspected on a regular basis. We perform annual inspections
not only for the purpose of complying with the standards, but
we need to have a high degree of confidence that all hydrants
will perform properly in an emergency.
A number of circumstances can affect a hydrant's performance which includes vandalism,
accidental damage, wear and tear, mechanical malfunction and even contractors performing
work on water lines who forget to reopen hydrant tap valves. We want to detect any of these
problems and correct them prior to the hydrant being needed.
Recently a new type of fitting is being used on the steamer connection. This fitting is called a
“storz” fitting and makes the connection from the fire truck to the hydrant much quicker and
with less maintenance issues. The South Euclid Fire Department in conjunction with the
Cleveland Water Department will continue to install these fitting on our
inventory of city maintained hydrants.
There are one thousand sixty-five (1,065) City owned fire hydrants and
thirty-nine (39) privately owned fire hydrants in the City of South Euclid.
50

Starting in June of this year, we will resume our normal hydrant testing and maintenance
program. Testing includes cleaning the threads, flushing and checking for working condition and
flows. All testing is done by on duty personnel. Any fire hydrant found to be faulty, in need of
repair or inoperative is noted. Some of the minor repairs and all of the painting are completed
by the City. Major repairs are completed by Cleveland Water or contracted out to a private
contractor. Hydrants that do not drain well are checked each fall to make sure they do not
contain water that may freeze and damage the hydrant or be frozen when the hydrant is
needed.
Should you notice fire personnel checking hydrants in your area, be assured our intentions are
not to waste water or destroy property; we are working to insure your safety. Should you
notice a hydrant in need of repair, please call the Fire Department or the Service Department so
repairs can be initiated.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN THERE IS FLUSHING HYDRANTS IN YOUR AREA?
If you see a crew flushing a hydrant on your street, avoid running tap water and using the
washing machine or the dishwasher until the flushing is done. If you
see hydrant flushing crews working in the area, please drive carefully
and treat them like any other road construction crew.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER THE FLUSHING?
If tap water is used during flushing, it could come out discolored. If
you encounter discolored water, shut the water off and wait several minutes. After waiting,
check the clarity by running cold water for a few minutes, allowing new water to work its way
into your pipes. If the water is clear, it’s OK to use. If not, wait a few more minutes and check
again. In some cases, there may be slight discoloration for a few hours. This discoloration only
affects the appearance of the water; it does not affect the taste or water quality.
Avoid washing laundry during scheduled flushing times. Wait until the water runs clear at the
tap, then wash a load of dark clothes first. If pressure or volume seems low, check your faucet
screens for trapped particles.
WHY DOES YOUR WATER LOOK FUNNY AFTER HYDRANT FLUSHING?
When a hydrant is opened, there will be temporary incidences of discolored water while fine
sediment particles are flushed out. There is no health hazard associated with the discolored
water. Allow a few hours for discoloration to dissipate. To verify water is clear, run your coldwater
tap for a few minutes.
51

SOUTH EUCLID FIRE DEPARTMENT – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Community Emergency Response Team
The CERT Team continues to be an important volunteer organization within the City. In 2011
the County CERT association was formed to try and help all of the CERT’s from the different
communities act as one. This association was needed to try and standardize the process that
CERT’s must follow; this includes initial training of its members, continuing education,
deployment during a hazard, and interoperability between the different CERT’s. The goal of the
association is to have all of the local CERT organizations become READY CERT. Teams that have
this Ready CERT credential will be the CERT’s of choice when a situation requires a CERT
deployment.
In 2011 the South Euclid Team held six bimonthly trainings. These trainings covered such topics
as heat related emergencies, cribbing for the trapped victim, search and rescue, and electrical
emergencies which was a very informative presentation by Mike Ressler of the Illuminating
Company.
One of the goals for the CERT Team in 2012 is to become a Ready Cert Team. This will take
some hard work from the volunteer leadership team but it is a very accomplishable task.
Another goal is to try and become more active within the community with such ideas as a
smoke detector blitz in the fall that would have some CERT members going door to door
checking on smoke detectors in residences.
Mark A. Zamiska, Commander
Christopher S. Jochum, Assistant Commander
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